Closure operated switch for fuel tanks



Feb. 27, 1951 L. K. WILDBERG CLOSURE OPERATED SWITCH FOR FUEL TANKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1947 FIG.2

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ATTORNEY."

Feb. 27, 1951 K. WILDBERG CLOSURE OPERATED swrrcu FOR FUEL TANKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21. 1947 INVENTOR. LESLIE K. WILDBERG ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 27, 1951 OFFICE CLOSURE OPERATED SWITCH FOR FUEL TANKS Leslie K. Wildberg, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application August 21, 1947, Serial No. 769,874

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to closures for the filler tube on fuel tanks and more particularly to a self-locking closure which is electrically operated to release the locking mechanism.

In general, the filler tubes of tanks, such as the gasoline tanks used on automobiles, have a downwardly extending flange disposed interiorly of the tube. This flange cooperates with and engages fingers or lugs on a closure or cap, which is manually rotated in one direction to fasten the cap to the filler tube and which is rotated in the other direction to remove the cap.

Thi same essential arrangement is modified slightly in order to provide closures which are removable only by use of a key, the so-called locking caps.

Although the key actuated closure serves the purpose for which it is intended, it is bothersome and inconvenient for the driver of the automobile as well as for the service station attendant who is required to fill the tank.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a self-locking tank closure which may be unlocked by means remote from the closure itself.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-locking closure which can be unlocked by means controllable from the interior of an automobile.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a closure of the type described, a latching mechanism which is electrically actuated.

Still another object of the present invention, is to provid a closure of the character described, which is adapted to be easily mounted on the filler tubes of automobiles which are now equipped with conventional types of rotary closures.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide, in a closure of the character described, signal actuating means which will give visible or audible indication to the driver of an automobile whenever the closure is unlocked.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a closure of the character described, which is constructed of a few easily manufactured parts and which will thereby be economical to produce.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 2 l| of Fig. 2, showing a closure embodying th features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1, showing the arrangement and disposition of the parts comprising my invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, particularly showing the method of mounting the solenoid;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the adapter ring;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the detail of the mounting of the adapter ring to the filler tube;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken on line 5-45 of Fig. 2, showing the latch structure;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the cooperation of the solenoid plunger with the latch;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the detail of the signal switch structure in its open circuit position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the switch in its closed circuit position; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical wiring system employed in my invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 9, the closure, designated generally by the numeral 1 l, is mounted on the filler tube [2 of a fuel tank (not shown). As is customary in filler tubes for automobile gasoline tanks, the filler tube I 2 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 13 which terminates in a depending lip I 4.

In order to secure the closure II to the filler tube l2, a fiat circular adapter ring i5 is provided, as best shown in Fig. l. The ring it": has an internal opening l5, the periphery of which is formed with a plurality of cars H and a projecting portion or catch [8 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Each of the ears is provided with elongated openings or slots l9 which are adapted to receive and retain the head of a screw 2%. A hinge member 2| is provided on the outer periphery of the ring I5, which member is adapted to b joined by means of a hinge pin 22, to a complementary hinge portion 23 formed on a hemispherical cover 24.

Disposed within the cover 24 is a solenoid 25 The latch member 3| is pivotally mounted on a pin 33 which is disposed between a pair of ears 34 which depend from the interior of the cover 24. The lower portion of the member 3| is in the form of a beveled catch 35 having a keeper surface 35 and a camming surface 31.

One end of an expansion coil spring 38 is fastened to a constricted portion 39 of the latch member SI and the other end of the spring 38 .is securedto an ear or pin 46 on the cover 24.

The cover 24 is provided with an internally.

extending circular flange 4| which forms an opening 42 of substantially the "same-diameter as the opening [6 in the adapter ring |5. The flange 4| has a projection analogous to the catch l8 on the ring l5, which projection serves as a stop 43 for the latch member 3|. The flange 4| may be integral with the cover 24, as when formed by casting, or it may be pressed into place or otherwise mounted in the cover.

The lower edge of the cover 24 extends vertically downward below the level of the flange 4| to form a depending skirt 44 which serves the purpose to be hereinafter described.

At a point on the undersurface of the adapter ring l5, preferably diametrically opposite the hinge member 2|, there is mounted, as by a rivet- 45, a sturdy leaf spring 46 which is insulated from the ring by washers 41 and 48. The end of the leaf spring is likewise insulated, as at 49, where it contacts the skirt 44 of the cover 24. As best seen in Figs. 8 and 9, the skirt 44 acts against the tension of the spring 46 when the cover 24 is in its locked position, maintaining the spring out of contact with the ring I 5. When the cover 24 is released or unlocked, the spring 46 forces the cover upwardly until the surface of the spring 46 engages the edge of the ring l5, as at 56, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Lead wires 5| and 52 connect to the solenoid 25 and lead wire 53 connects to the leaf spring 46, and serve as conductors in the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 10.

The mounting and operation of the closure II will now be described briefly.

Clamps 54 are provided which, by means of a flanged portion 55, are adapted to engage the edge of the lip M on the filler tube 2.

The clamps 54 are provided with internal threads 56 adapted to receive the screws 20.

A sealing gasket 5'! is affixed to the underside of the ring l5-and the ring is securely mounted on the filler tube l2 by means of the screws 2!] and the clamps 54.

Another sealing gasket 58 is affixed to the top surface of the ring l5 and engages the undersurface of the flange 4| of the cover 24, which is pivotally mounted on the ring as previously described.

Referring now to Fig. 10, the numeral 59 designates ail-electrical storage battery having one of its terminals grounded to the bodyof an automobile. The other terminal is connected to the key-operated ignition switch 60 and the circuit is completed through a push-button switch 6| and the solenoid 25.

Another circuit is formed by the battery 59, a double pole snap switch 62, a signal lamp 63, an alarm device, such'as a bell 64, and the leaf spring 46.

It will be apparent, as seen in Fig. 2, that the keepersurface 36 on the latch member 3| will engage the catch -|8 on the ad'apter'ring I5, when 4 the cover 24 is forced downwardly. The coil spring 38 maintains the latch member in engage ment with the catch so as to lock the cover 24 in place.

When it is desired to add fuel to the tank, the operator of the vehicle pushe the push-button switch 6| which closes the circuit to the solenoid 25, thereby energizing the solenoid coil and retracting the plunger 26. The hook 32 on the plunger 26 engages the latch member 3| and draws it away from the catch I8, against the action of the coil spring 36. As soon as the latch member 3| is disengaged from the catch Hi, the leaf spring 46, which is under tension, acts against the skirt 44 to raise the cover 24 slightly from its closed position. The leaf "spring thus changes its-position from that shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9. In the latter position the leaf spring contacts the ring |5, which is grounded, and closes the signal circuit, thereby energizing either the-lamp '63 or the alarm 64, depending on the selected position of the switch 62.

It is assumed that the lamp signal would preferably be used to indicate an authorized unlock ing of'the closure H, as would occur at a service station, and that the alarm signal would be used at other times, to indicate unauthorized tampering with the closure.

Thus it is assumed that the snap switch 62 would normally be in position to energize the alarm, and the lamp circuit would be selected when the automobile is being refueled.

After the solenoid 25 is de-energized and while the cover 24 is raised, the stop 43 on the flange 4| serves to prevent the latch member 3| from pivoting too far forwardly, thereby maintaining it in such a position that the camming surface 31 will contact the catch [8 upon downward movement of the cover 24.

During the timethecover 24 is raisecLthe lamp 63 will be lit, but as soon as the cover is closed and'locks itself in place, the leaf spring as will be forced out of contact with the ring l5 and will open the signal circuit. The operator of the automobile will thereby be informed, when the lamp is' extinguished, that the closure H is locked in place.

The operator may now utilize the switch 62 to put the alarm 64 into the circuit, instead of the lamp 63, which would serve to notify passersby of any unauthorized attempt to open the closure.

It is thus apparentthat I have provided a self-locking tank closure which is sturdily constructed of a minimum number of easily manufactu'red parts, and which may be conveniently unlocked by electrical control means located at a point remote from the closure.

I have also provided visible and audible signal means which may be selectively employed to indicate that the closure is unlocked.

If it is'desired that the various parts disposed within the cover'be concealed from view or protected against accidental damage, the flange 4| may be made with only a small opening, sufficient to permit the latch member 3| to pass therethrough and operate freely.

It will be noted that closures embodying the features of my invention may be mounted on the filler tubes of gasoline tanks already in use, the provision of the adapter ring serving to avoid the necessity of requiring the filler tube to be specially constructed for use with the closure.

Although the description of my invention has been directed in the main to its application to the asoline tanks of automobiles, the structure disclosed is equally applicable to other applications which are similar in nature.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herein shown and described, is a preferred example of the same, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts thereof Without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A closure for the filter tube or" a tank comprising a cover hingedly secured to said filler tube, means for releasably locking said cover in closed position, an electroconductive leaf spring mounted on said filler tube and forming an electrical circuit element, an electrical contact ele ment fixedly mounted on said filler tube, the free end of said leaf sprin normally engaging said contact element, said free end extending into the path of movement of cover and being displaced by said cover into contact breaking position when said cover is in the closed position, and said leaf spring normally urging said cover to open position whereby release of said locking means causes opening of said cover and the reen- 

